Floating golf ball and water golf-practicing system

ABSTRACT

The present invention is a floating golf-ball that is designed to be used on the water and a water golf-practicing system that enables the golfers to practice golf on the water. To achieve the above objectives, the core of the floating golf ball is made of materials such as cork, synthetic resin or Styrofoam whose specific gravity is low and buoyancy is high with its diameter of 20±5 mm. A synthetic rubber inner cover layer is disposed about the core with the thickness of 10±3 mm and the weight of 27 g. A dimple-type hardened outer cover layer whose thickness is 2±0.5 mm and weight is 11.5 g is disposed on the synthetic rubber inner cover layer. According to the present invention, the golfers may practice golf even on the river, lake or sea, driving the floating golf balls toward to the water. Since the present invention floats on the surface of water, the floating golf balls are easily collected with the use of the fence installed on the water. Another advantages of the present invention are that golfers can practice golf even on the water, and the cost to install the water golf-practicing system is considerably cheaper than other conventional drive ranges or golf practicing facilities.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] 1. Field of the Invention

[0002] The invention relates generally to a floating golf ball and water golf-practicing system that are designed to allow the golfers to play golf on the water such as river, lake or sea.

[0003] 2. Description of the Prior Art

[0004] Modern golf balls, with their diameters of 42.67 mm and weights of 45.939 or below, available on the market are typically made to be used only on the ground. Golf ball manufacturers have been developing new golf balls to improve the quality and performance of their golf balls, by changing their construction and materials.

[0005] However, most of golf balls sold on the market are manufactured to be used only on the land so that no consideration is given to the possibility of their floating on water. The primary reason most of golf ball manufacturers do not consider about the floating function of the golf balls on the water is because the performance of their golf balls may not be maximized if such consideration is given.

[0006] The present invention enables the golf players to play golf on the river, lake or sea by installing the golf-practicing system designed according to the present invention. In order to achieve aforementioned objectives, a golf ball according to the present invention has lower specific gravity and higher buoyancy than other golf balls available on the market. Furthermore, the core of the golf ball according to the present invention is made of highly-repulsive materials.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0007] The purpose of the present invention is to provide a floating golf-ball designed to be used on the water. Another purpose of the present invention is to provide a floating golf ball that enables the golf players to collect the golf balls floating on the water during and after playing of the golf. A further purpose of the present invention is to provide a floating golf ball so that the golf players can practice golf on the river, lake or sea, driving the golf ball above the water and enjoying swimming or water sports at the same time.

[0008] Other advantages and objectives of the invention will be in part obvious and in part pointed out more in detail hereinafter. First, many people can practice golf in a limited space with this floating golf ball and water golf-practicing system according to the present invention since the golf balls according to the present invention fly above and falls on the water. No field is necessary as in typical driving ranges except for the portion of the driving box which shall be placed on the land or on the deck of a boat, from where the golfers drive the floating golf balls toward the water. Also, the floating golf balls are collected after or during practice without missing balls since they float on the water.

[0009] Secondly, the present invention contributes to the cost-saving of the golf industry since no land or expensive system is necessary for practicing golf when the golf industry uses the present invention.

[0010] Finally, the present invention also contributes to the promotion of golf since the initial investment in the golf-practicing facility according to the present invention is considerably lower than the conventional driving ranges, so that many people can practice golf at an expensive price.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0011] The aforementioned aspects and other features of the present invention will be explained in the following description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

[0012]FIG. 1 is a section of the floating golf ball according to the present invention.

[0013]FIG. 2 shows the water golf-practicing system according to the present invention installed on a river.

[0014]FIG. 3 shows the water golf-practicing system according to the present invention installed on a lake.

[0015]FIG. 4 shows the water golf-practicing system according to the present invention installed on an ocean or sea.

[0016]FIG. 5 is a side view of a driving box included in the golf-practicing system according to the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0017] The present invention will be described in detail by way of a preferred embodiment with reference to accompanying drawings, in which like reference numerals are used to identify the same or similar parts.

[0018] The functions and structure of the present invention as depicted on the drawings are as follows:

[0019] As seen in FIG. 1 which shows the cross-section of the floating golf ball according to the present invention, the floating golf ball according to the present invention comprises: a core 1 made of cork, Styrofoam® or synthetic resin whose diameter is ±5 mm and weight is 1.5 g; a synthetic rubber inner cover layer 2 whose weight is 27 g, disposed about the core; and a dimple-type hardened outer cover layer 3 whose thickness is 2+0.5 mm and weight is 11.5 g, disposed on the synthetic rubber inner cover layer 2.

[0020] The diameter and weight of the floating golf ball according to the present invention are 43 mm and 40 g respectively for example, and the specific gravity of the floating golf ball according to the present invention is less than that of other golf balls available on the market.

[0021] The core objective of the present invention is to provide a floating golf ball that has the same or better performance compared to other conventional golf balls available on the market. Accordingly, the floating golf ball according to the present invention is not significantly lighter in weight or bigger in size than the conventional golf balls available on the market so that it may have the same or better performance compared to them, in addition to an advantage as a floating golf ball.

[0022] Referring now to FIG. 2, there is shown the water golf-practicing system according to the present invention installed on a river. The water golf-practicing system comprises a driving box2-a where people drive the floating golf ball according to the present invention toward the river 2-b. A fence 2-e is installed on the lower courses of the river to prevent the floating golf balls from floating over the fence 2-e. A circular rubber pools 2-f installed at 100 m, 200 m and 300 m distance from the center of the driving box 2-a for practicing and testing the accuracy of the driving of the golf players.

[0023] The floating golf balls float on the surface of water after they fall in the river, and they are easily collected by pulling the rope connected to the end of the fence 2-e from the side of the river 2-d. Also, a safety net 2-c is provided on the both ends of the driving box 2-a to prevent possible accidents. The circular rubber pools 2-f installed at 100 m, 200 m and 300 m distance from the center of the river to enhance the accuracy of the driving of the golf players also adds a new game rule, providing additional pleasure to the golf players who practice golf with the use of the present invention.

[0024] Referring now to FIG. 3, there is shown the water golf-practicing system according to the present invention installed on a lake. A fence 3-a is installed at 300 m distance, the maximum distance for driving, from the driving box 3-b since the water in the lake does not hardly flow in any direction. As the width of the lake is limited, the driving box 3-b is circular in this case so that the floating golf balls flown above the water may be gathered into the center of the lake. A safety net 3-c is provided on the both ends of the driving box 3-b to prevent the floating golf balls from missing the lake and the golf players from possible accidents. The floating golf balls may be collected with the use of the fence 3-c or by means of a rowboat or electric-motored boat to protect the water from pollution for example.

[0025] Referring now to FIG. 4, there is shown the water golf-practicing system according to the present invention installed on a shallow sea or ocean. The driving box 4-a is circular so that the floating golf balls may be gathered into the center of the fence 4-b. Another half-circled closed type fence 4-c is provided. The floating golf balls are collected by pulling the fence 4-c toward the seaside. The fence 4-b can be fixed at the points of 4-d and 4-e to prevent it from moving. Also, a safety net 4-f is provided on the both ends of the driving box 4-a.

[0026] Referring now to FIG. 5, the water golf-practicing system according to the present invention comprises a driving box 5-a, lighting system 5-b and weather-proof resistant wall 5-c to allow people to practice golf at night and to protect them from rain, wind or sunshine during the practice of the golf.

[0027] The present invention has been described with reference to particular embodiments in connection with a particular application. Those having ordinary skill in the art and access to the teachings of the present invention will recognize additional modifications and applications within the scope thereof.

[0028] It is therefore intended by the appended claims to cover any and all such applications, modifications, and embodiments within the scope of the present invention. 

1. A floating golf ball comprising: a core, a synthetic rubber inner cover layer, and a dimple-type hardened outer cover layer, wherein said core has a diameter of 20±5 mm and a weight of 1.5 g, said synthetic rubber inner cover layer disposed about the core has a weight of 27 g and a thickness of 10±3 mm, and said dimple-type hardened outer cover layer disposed on the synthetic rubber inner cover layer has a thickness of 2±0.5 mm and a weight of 11.5 g, and wherein said ball has a diameter of 43 mm and a weight of 40 g.
 2. The floating golf ball as claimed in claim 1, wherein said core is composed of cork, Styrofoam® or synthetic resin having lower specific gravity and higher buoyancy than the synthetic rubber inner cover layer.
 3. A water golf practicing system installed on the surface of river comprising: a driving box in which users can hit a floating golf ball toward water; a fence; and a safety net provided on the both ends of said driving box.
 4. The water golf practicing system as claimed in claim 3, wherein said fence is designed for installation downstream from said driving box on a river.
 5. The water golf practicing system as claimed in claim 4, further comprising one or more circular rubber pools, wherein at least one of said circular rubber pools is installed at a different distance from said driving box.
 6. The water golf practicing system as claimed in claim 3, wherein said driving box has a circular shape.
 7. The water golf practicing system as claimed in claim 3, further comprising at least two fixing points wherein said driving box has an arcuate shape and said fence is a half-circled closed type fence and is fixed to said fixing points.
 8. The water golf practicing system as claimed in claim 3, future comprising a lighting system and a weather-proof wall. 